“Cody asked me and Jace for our blessing.”
I turn and lightly smack his bicep. “You didn’t!”
“I did. I figured we’d give them a little heads-up this time around.”
“And I said yes, of course,” McKenna says. “You’re finally going to officially be my sister.”
“I always was your sister,” I tell her. “In my heart.”
“That’s where it matters.”
“For the record,” Cody says, standing behind me and wrapping his arm around my stomach, tugging me tight against his chest and leaning his chin on my shoulder. “I was never your brother.”
“Agreed,” I say, laughing.
“Well, congrats!” McKenna says. “I can’t wait to be the matron of honor.”
“You didn’t even let me ask,” I tell her.
“You asked me years ago.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Well, let me know when you pick a date. I’ll clear everything to be there for you.”
“Thank you, McKenna,” I tell her.
We say our goodbyes, promising to call later.
Then Cody turns me around, tugs me into his arms and kisses me. He holds me to himself, running his strong handsdown my back with such tenderness I almost tear up. I rake my fingers through his hair because I’ve learned what he loves. We’ve both learned so much since that first barn kiss—about trust, and truth, and claiming what matters most but never at the cost of the people who have stood by you over the years.
Jasper whinnies and Storm answers. Outside the barn, the sound of the Lawson men coming in for the afternoon carries through the open door. Cody tugs me close and tucks my head under his chin.
“I want to stay here forever,” I tell him.
“I think we just might,” he answers me with a smile.
